Letters of credit issued against credit facility.

No definition available.

Name:	txt_LettersOfCreditIssuedAgainstCreditFacility
Namespace Prefix:	txt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all debt, including all short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13,16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of short-term debt and current maturity of long-term debt and capital lease obligations due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The average effective interest rate during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The maximum amount of borrowing capacity under a line of credit that is available as of the balance sheet date for a specific purpose other than for financing goods acquired for inventory or imminent delivery to a customer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCapacityAvailableForSpecificPurposeOtherThanForTradePurchases
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligation due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of long-term debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of uncollateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=txt_SeniorUnsecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=txt_SeniorUnsecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityExpiringOctober2018TerminatedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=txt_SegmentManufacturingGroupMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermNotesDueTwoThousandSixteenFourPointSixTwoFivePercentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermNotesDueTwoThousandSeventeenFivePointSixZeroPercentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermVariableNotesDueTwoThousandEighteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermNotesDueTwoThousandNineteenSevenPointTwoFivePercentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermVariableNotesDueTwoThousandNineteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermNotesDueTwoThousandTwentySixPointSixTwoFivePercentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyOneThreePointSixFivePercentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyOneFivePointNineFivePercentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyFourFourPointThreeZeroPercentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyFiveThreePointEightSevenFivePercentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermNotesDueTwoThousandTwentySixFourPercentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermNotesDueOtherMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=txt_SegmentFinanceGroupMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermFixedRateNotesDueTwoThousandSixteenToTwoThousandSeventeenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermNoteDueTwoThousandEighteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermNotesDueTwoThousandNineteenTwoPointTwoSixPercentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermFixedRateNotesDueTwoThousandSeventeenToTwoThousandTwentyFiveMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_MediumTermVariableNotesDueTwoThousandSixteenToTwoThousandTwentyFiveMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_SecuritizedDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=txt_SixPercentFixedToFloatingRateJuniorSubordinatedNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt and Credit Facilities - Summary of debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility, Expiring September 2021
Debt
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,000
Portion available for issuance of letters of credit against facility	$ 100
Amount borrowed against facility		$ 0
Letters of credit issued against credit facility		11
Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility, Expiring October 2018 Terminated
Debt
Debt instrument term	5 years
Amount borrowed against facility	$ 0
Manufacturing group
Debt
Debt		2,777	$ 2,697
Less: Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt		(363)	(262)
Total Long-term debt		2,414	2,435
Manufacturing group \| 4.625% due 2016
Debt
Unsecured Debt			$ 250
Interest rate (as a percent)			4.625%
Manufacturing group \| 5.60% due 2017
Debt
Unsecured Debt		$ 350	$ 350
Interest rate (as a percent)		5.60%	5.60%
Manufacturing group \| Variable-rate note due 2018 (2.09% and 1.58%, respectively)
Debt
Debt		$ 150	$ 150
Interest rate (as a percent)		2.09%	1.58%
Manufacturing group \| 7.25% due 2019
Debt
Unsecured Debt		$ 250	$ 250
Interest rate (as a percent)		7.25%	7.25%
Manufacturing group \| Variable-rate note due 2019 (1.95% and 1.59%, respectively)
Debt
Debt		$ 200	$ 200
Interest rate (as a percent)		1.95%	1.59%
Manufacturing group \| 6.625% due 2020
Debt
Unsecured Debt		$ 184	$ 222
Interest rate (as a percent)		6.625%	6.625%
Manufacturing group \| 3.65% due 2021
Debt
Unsecured Debt		$ 250	$ 250
Interest rate (as a percent)		3.65%	3.65%
Manufacturing group \| 5.95% due 2021
Debt
Unsecured Debt		$ 250	$ 250
Interest rate (as a percent)		5.95%	5.95%
Manufacturing group \| 4.30% due 2024
Debt
Unsecured Debt		$ 350	$ 350
Interest rate (as a percent)		4.30%	4.30%
Manufacturing group \| 3.875% due 2025
Debt
Unsecured Debt		$ 350	$ 350
Interest rate (as a percent)		3.875%	3.875%
Manufacturing group \| 4.00% due 2026
Debt
Unsecured Debt		$ 350
Interest rate (as a percent)		4.00%
Manufacturing group \| Other (weighted-average rate of 2.86% and 1.29%, respectively)
Debt
Debt		$ 93	$ 75
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)		2.86%	1.29%
Finance group
Debt
Debt		$ 903	$ 913
Finance group \| Fixed-rate notes due 2016-2017 (weighted-average rate of 4.59%)
Debt
Debt		$ 10	$ 21
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)		4.59%	4.59%
Finance group \| Variable-rate note due 2018 (weighted-average rate of 1.89% and 1.53%, respectively)
Debt
Debt		$ 200	$ 200
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)		1.89%	1.53%
Finance group \| 2.26% note due 2019
Debt
Debt		$ 150
Interest rate (as a percent)		2.26%
Finance group \| Fixed-rate notes due 2017-2025 (weighted-average rate of 2.87% and 2.79%, respectively)
Debt
Debt		$ 202	$ 300
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)		2.87%	2.79%
Finance group \| Variable-rate notes due 2016-2025 (weighted-average rate of 1.97% and 1.54%, respectively)
Debt
Debt		$ 42	$ 52
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)		1.97%	1.54%
Finance group \| Securitized debt (weighted-average rate of 1.71%)
Debt
Debt			$ 41
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)			1.71%
Finance group \| 6% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Notes
Debt
Debt		$ 299	$ 299
Interest rate (as a percent)		6.00%	6.00%